Major boost as thousands more children to qualify for €160 or €285 cash payment under new eligibility rules before Govt
Minister for Social Protection
The payment
is designed to help parents cover the cost of clothing and footwear for
returning to school.
Children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid currently do not qualify for the annual lump sum payment.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is worth €160 for children aged four to 11 and €285 for kids aged between 12 and 22.
Children and young adults must be between these ages on or before September 30 this year in order to qualify for the set amount.
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Those over 18 must be returning to full-time second level education in the autumn of 2025 in order to be eligible.
And the 2025 Programme for Government includes the commitment to examine the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers.
It is estimated that up to 2,300 children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now qualify for the payment under new plans.
MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN
Last September, Independent TD Michael Lowry asked if
Major warning over emergency social welfare scam texts as thousands could be targeted
O'Gorman said he raised the issue with
He said: "I can inform the Deputy that I have raised the issue of Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility in respect of foster children with Minister Humphreys, who has informed that the BSCFA is not payable in respect of foster children as the financial support provided to foster parents by Tusla, the foster care allowance, includes provision for the cost of clothing and footwear for the foster child.
"I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work closely with my Government colleagues and with relevant stakeholders in relation to continuing to seek to improve the suite of supports for foster carers."
NO COVER OF EXTRA COSTS
MINISTER for Social Protection Dara Calleary last year confirmed that the BSCFA will not cover extra costs parents face ahead of the school year.
When asked by
But the
Calleary said: "Applications for financial support which fall outside the rules and timeframe of the scheme may be considered for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service."
Last year,
payments totalling €57.04m were made to more than 149,500 families in respect of 264,400 qualified children.
Many families
But those who haven't been notified of the payment on their MyWelfare account or through post could miss out on the lump sum.
It is expected to be paid out in the week starting on July 7th.
And applications for the payment will close until next year on September 30.
Those who apply for the cash later in the summer will receive the payment later than others.
1
The BSCFA is €160 for children aged four to 11 and €285 for those between 12 and 22
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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